Obituary of Mary Lucille Halloran

MARY LUCILLE HALLORAN (1910-2010) Mary L. Halloran, 99, died (Saturday, March 20, 2010) at the Gables in Farmington, Connecticut after a short illness. Sister of the late Frank J. Halloran, Mary was the devoted Aunt of the seven Halloran children raised on Arch Street [now Kimball Drive] in 1950's New Britain, CT. Miss Halloran retired after teaching elementary school for more than forty years, mostly in the fifth grade at the old and new Chamberlain Schools. She was a communicant at St. Joseph Church and a resident of New Britain until her 2005 move to Farmington. Born in New Haven on November 6, Mary Halloran was the daughter of Francis J., a New Britain pharmacist and Mary [Minnie King] a milliner from Fair Haven.* *Miss Halloran graduated from St. Mary's School first in her class but was asked by Mother Superior to concede the medal to a boy. She completed the Senior High School and was a 1930 graduate of the New Britain Normal School, now Central Connecticut State University. In addition to the remarkable teaching career that followed, she took great pride in the domestic elements of her life. An early camera buff, she took a series of 1950's family pictures in July for December Christmas cards. Her 8mm home movies recorded graduations, weddings and baptisms for three generations. Moreover, having purchased the Arch Street home and lot in partnership with her brother in 1947, she maintained the grounds for many post-retirement years. The 'living hedge' she sent for, though it arrived in a tiny package, grew with her love and dedication to surround the property. Miss Halloran greatly enjoyed a fulfilling social life. She was a member of the Teacher's Bowling League and bowled 171, a women's duckpin record. She was a member of a bridge club of comrade teachers who rarely played the game. She hosted numerous parties for friends and family and was known for her relishes, desserts and other recipes. Perhaps most of all, she took pleasure in each and every thing Irish and from Ireland, the birthplace of all of her grandparents. Miss Halloran is survived by nephews Michael Francis of Farmington, CT, his wife Marion, their two sons, Kevin, husband of Kirsten, and Stephen, husband of Genieveve, their 3 children, and four daughters, Maribeth, Katherine [Mrs. Senan Gorman] and their 3 children, Elizabeth and her fiancé Timothy Steffen and Elena; William Dennis of Bowie, MD, his wife Sandra and their three daughters, Susan [Mrs. Keith Young] and 2 children, Karen [Mrs. Keith Fedorchak] and 2 children and Elizabeth [Mrs. John Thornquist] and 2 children; Edward Joseph of Chapel Hill, NC, his wife Diane their two daughters, Jennifer [Mrs. Scott S. Walker] and Alicia; Frank Michael of East Haddam, CT, his wife Patricia, their daughter, Maura [Mrs. Jason Wanio] and their son, and two sons, Gregory, his wife Brooke and 2 children, and Brian; Joseph Dennis of Portland, CT, his wife Mary, daughter Laura [Mrs. Christopher Skinner] and their 3 children, and their two sons Matthew, wife Kristi, their 2 children, and Michael husband of Carina and their 3 children; John Thomas of Waterbury, VT, his wife Patricia, their daughter Rachel and fiancée Bryan Scott, son Daniel and wife Abby and son; Kathleen Frances and her husband Arthur Liskowsky of Georgia, VT, their three daughters, Emma, Johanna [Mrs. Ian Doak] and son, and a daughter, and Nora. The Halloran and Liskowsky families are grateful for the peace and comfort provided to Mary by Euda Banville, her attendant, Gables friends and staff in Farmington and Connecticut Hospice. Friends and family are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday at 11:00 A. M at St. Joseph's Church 195 South Main St, New Britain. Visitation will be Wednesday morning from 10:00A.M. until the time of the Mass at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain. In lieu of flowers, please do a good deed in Mary's name or, if you prefer, make a donation to your favorite charity.